Fancy getting back to nature and enjoying a fun-filled holiday in the UK�s number one county? Boasting both a north and south coast, Devon is a dream for watersport lovers. If you are looking to catch a wave, jump a wave or sail a wave, Devon has it all. Perhaps you enjoy the feeling of the sand between you toes or the creativity of building an award-winning sandcastle, if so, you should be heading to the south-west!

The home county of, and an inspiration to, round the world yachtsman Pete Goss, rower and maritime adventurer Simon Chalk and British number one and World wave ski Masters Champion Kieron Davies, visitors can enjoy every type of watersport imaginable. This June, Croyde and Woolacombe, on Devon�s north coast, will host the GoldCoast Oceanfest, where beach combers can enjoy a fantastic mix of surfing, beach volleyball, paddle racing, surf boats, surf skis, kite surfing, mountain boarding and more. Champion surfers such as Richard Carter, Ralph Freeman and Scott Rannochan have all trained in Croyde Bay, where the surf unquestionably rivals some of the best in England.

If you like to explore the world beneath the waves, wreck diving is growing in popularity by the minute and visitors to Devon will certainly not be disappointed. HMS Scylla was purchased by the National Marine Aquarium in 1993, after a notable career it has been scuppered to provide a reef environment, today the ship is home to a tremendous variety of marine life, offering divers with the opportunity to explore one of the best wrecks off the UK coast.

If you are travelling with a family, you might want to try some more leisurely paced activities; why not try your hand at sailing, jump on a body board to catch some waves or take a stroll along Devon�s coast. Enjoy one of the many regattas taking place as part of Sea Britain 2005, which commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

Alternatively, if you want to challenge your child�s creativity, then take them to Torquay, which - according to research undertaken by Bournemouth University � officially has the best sand in the UK for building sandcastles! Surfboard art has never been more popular, with the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz shelling out thousands of dollars for a unique board. Between 26th July and 2nd August, the Exeter Spacex Gallery, will host the Longlife Exhibition, focussing on surfboard art with the likes of Damien Hirst, Paul Kaye (aka Dennis Pennis) and Jamie Hewlett (Gorrilaz and Tank Girl) all contributing work.

Thousands of visitors come to Devon every year to enjoy the outdoors and sweeping beaches; they are one of the many reasons why the county is so popular among visitors. Did you know that in 2004 Devon�s beaches were awarded 11 Blue Flags �more than any other county in England and two more than in 2003? Devon really has got it all, from the surf beaches of north Devon - Saunton, Woolacombe and Putsborough to name but three, to the estuaries, wooded creeks, harbours and marinas of the more sheltered south coast, where sailing, waterskiing and powered watersports are aplenty.

For links to all these activities and for further ideas on what to do and where to stay in Devon, visit www.discoverdevon.com or call the Discover Devon Holiday Line on 0870 6085531.

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